Fastening means for building material



Oct. 8, 1935." R. WINSHIP FASTENING MEANS FOR BUILDING MATERIAL Filed July 7, 1932 77 76 if 7' i3 INVENTOR "12.5 ATTOIRNEYY Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES FASTENING MEANS FOR BUILDING MATERIAL Boss Winship, Lockport, N. Y., assignor to The Upson Company, Lockport, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 7, 1932, Serial No. 621,194

9 Claims.

This invention relates to fastening means for securing building material to a frame or support. One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of simple and satisfactory fastening means capable of a variety of uses but which is especially adapted to and useful in the fastening of an automobile top to the frame or ribs which support it.

Another object of the invention is the provision of fastening means of the above character which does not pass entirely through the building material to which it is applied, so that a waterproof facing layer of the material, for example, may remain unpunctured by the fastening means.

Still another object is the provision of fastening means which may be applied to the building material while the material is being made, so that the building material may be shipped to the point of use with the fastening means already applied thereto, and will be ready for immediate and easy installation in its intended position.

A further object is the provision of fastening means of the above character which may be applied to the building material easily and quickly by relatively simple machinery, without interfering substantially with rapid and economical mass production of the building material.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a fragment of an automobile top, illustratingfastening means constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken at right angles to the plane of Fig. 1, illustrating the same embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the same embodiment, taken at right angles to the plane of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the same embodiment, taken at right angles to the plane of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through a fragment of an automobile top, illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a similar view illustrating still another embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a panel of building material having a number of different forms of fastening means applied thereto.

The same reference numerals through the several views indicate the same parts.

Although the fastening means of the present invention is capable of a variety of uses, it is especially adapted and intended for fastening an automobile top panel to the top frame of the body, and will be disclosed in connection with this use by way of example.

Heretofore it has been customary in the construction of automobile tops to build up the top 15 layer by layer upon the frame. Where the top is built up in this manner, it is possible to fasten it to the frame at various points by nailing through the lower layers before the uppermost layer is placed in position. According to a recent 20 invention of Charles A. Upson, however, as more fully disclosed and claimed in. his co-pending application for patent on Construction material, Serial No. 621,195 filed July '7, 1932, it is now proposed to provide top panels constructed as a unit ready for application to the automobile top frame.

The radical departure in automobile top con,- struction according to the said Upson invention makes desirable some other means for fastening 30 the automobile top panel to the frame, especially at points inwardly from the edges of the panel. The panel may still be nailed to the frame at the edges, where the nail heads can conveniently be covered by a molding, but it is usually undesirable to'provide a molding'at points substantially within the edges of the panels, and it is also undesirable to have exposed nail heads or to have any fastening means passing through or perforating the uppermost water-impervious layer of 40 the top panel. Consequently, the new top panels of the said Upson invention preferably are not nailed in the conventional manner, because these panels are preferably completely built up before application to the automobile frame, and nail- 45 ing down through the panels would puncture the top waterproof layer.

The present invention provides simple and satisfactory fastening means for top panels according to the said Upson invention. The specific 50 construction of the panels shown in this present invention by way of example, is claimed and described in greater detail in the said Upson application, above referred to.

Referring now to the embodiment of the inven- 55 tion illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, there is shown a frame member or rib I supporting a top panel comprising a relatively strong and. rigid structural member II and a top facing I2 of weather-resisting, water-impervious material. As stated in the said Upson application, the structural member II is preferably made of fibrous material of a porous nature,.such for example as the straw fiber building board currently obtainable on the market under the name of Upson insulating board. The weather-resisting, waterproof layer l2 may conveniently be of felt paper impregnated with asphaltu'm or other waterproofing material. The layers II and I2 are preferably permanently secured to each other at the factory manufacturing this product and are shipped in unitary completed form to the automobile assembling plant, where they are applied as a single unit to the top frame.

In order to fasten such a top panel securely to the frame at points inwardly of the edges of the panel, blind fastening means of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be employed. The blind fastening means may comprise, for example, ligature means in the form of a staple I3 inserted in the structural member from beneath and having its ends clinched over the top of the structural member as at I4 to hold the staple securely in place. This staple may be made of stiff wire, or a strip of metal, or other suitable material, and it is contemplated that it shall be placed in the structure during the initial manufacture thereof, preferably before the layer I2 is applied to the layer II so that the staple may be clinched over on the layer I l and then the layer I2 may be added.

The completed material, as shipped from the factory manufacturing it to the automobile assembling plant, will comprise, for example, the layers I I and I2, and a series of staples I3 affixed thereto at predetermined intervals. The staples may be inserted only at the points where they will be needed for attachment to the frame members or ribs, or they may be inserted more or less continuously at close intervals so as to be available for attachment of the panel at almost any point.

Preferably a pad I5 of relatively soft sound deadening material, such as felt or the like, is placed between the rib land the top panel, as shown. This not only helps to deaden vibration but also serves as a soft compressible medium into which the slight thickness of the staple may sink so that the top panel will be bedded firmly on the rib. Suitable means passing through the staple I3 and attached to the rib Ifl holds the staple to the rib and thus secures the top panel to the frame. This means, in the present instance, comprises ligature means IG, such as a wire or heavy cord, passing through the staple and around the frame member Ill and tied or twisted at its ends to hold it in place, as shown. The staple may be provided with a slight hump or kink I? (Fig. l) if desired, to furnish a space through which the ligature I6 may be easily inserted.

In the use of this embodiment of the invention, the automobile top panel already formed, with the structural member I I, the facing layer I2, and the staples I3 in place, will be placed on the frame members III which have been preferably provided with padding I5, ligatures I6 will be run through some or all of the ligatures or staples I3, and these ligatures I6 will be firmly fastened around the frame members I0 as shown. This frame member or rib is indicated at 25. In order to illustrate the fact that the blind fastening means is not confined to any one specific form of top panel, a slightly different form of top panel is here shown, comprising a structural member 2|, a lower layer 22 of soft insulating material, an upper layer 23 also of soft insulat ing material, and a top weather resisting, water impervious layer 2 2, of any suitable material, such as rubberized fabric. This top panel construction, like that disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, is more fully described and claimed in the said copending application of Charles A. Upson. It is suihcient for present purposes tosay that the various layers are preferably permanently united with each other at the factory making this product, so that the panel forms a complete unitary assembly ready for application to the automobile frame in a single operation.

The embodiment here shown comprises ligature means in the form of a staple 25 which, like the staples I3 in Figs. 1 and 2, may be of stiff wire, a metal strip, or other suitable material, inserted through the bottom and having its ends 26 clinched down over the top of the structural member 2i preferably before the layers 23 and 24 are applied. As before, a pad 27 of soft material such as felt is interposed between the rib 253 and the top panel. In this embodiment, instead of securing the staple to the frame member by a ligature passing around the frame member, it is secured by an angle iron or bracket 28 of metal or other stiff material having one leg placed th ough the staple as shown, and the other leg secured to the rib 29 as by means of tacks or nails 29. This construction has the advantage over that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 that no part of the fastening means extends beneath the bottom of the frame member 20, and thus the bottom of this member is left entirely smooth sothat any desired interior finish may be applied thereto if desired.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a perspective view of an automobile top panel turned upside down and having a number of different forms of blind fastening means applied thereto. A series of staples similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 3 are indicated in Fig. 9 at 25 and are shown as placed in the top panel at short intervals from each other along a predetermined line. Obviously as many lines of staples as desired may be placed in the material and may be spaced in any preferred way.

Still another embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, where the frame member is indicated at 38. In order to show that the use of this invention is not necessarily limited to wooden frame members, the member SI is shown as a U-shaped metallic member. The top panel here illustrated is the same as that shown by way of example in Figs. 3 and 4, having a structural member 3i, layers 32 and 33 of insulating material, and a top layer 34 of weather resisting water impervious material such as rubberized cloth or the like. A pad 35 of soft material is preferably used between the rib 3B and the top panel. In

structural member 5|,

this instance, the blind fastening means comprises ligature means 36 placed in the top panel during its manufacture and anchored to the structural member 3| without extending through the waterproof layer 35. This ligature means may be, for example, of wire or strong cord somewhat in the form of an inverted staple, having its central portion overlying the structural member 3| and its ends passing downwardly through the structural member and being accessible from beneath the material as shown.

In use, the top panel is so placed on the frame that the accessible ends of the ligature 36 fall on opposite sides of the frame member 30, and these ends are then tied or twisted around each other so that they encircle the frame member and hold the top panel securely down on the pad 35 and frame member.

In manufacturing this product, the ligatures 36 are preferably turned down to lie flat against the side of the material, as indicated at 36 in Fig. 9, so that they do not interfere with piling or stacking the material for shipment. When the building material is placed on the frame to which it is to be secured, it is a comparatively simple matter to straighten out the ligatures '36 to their effective position for use.

Still another possible embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 7, in which the frame members or ribs are shown at 40 and the automobile top panel may comprise, for example, a structural member 4|, layers 42 and 43 of insulating material, and a top facing 44 of weatherresisting water impervious material such as rubberized fabric or any other suitable material. Here ligatures such as staples 45, which may be similar to the staples l3 and 25, are employed, and they in turn securely hold the ligature means in the form of a long strand or strip 46 lying along the bottom of the material, which may be a cord, heavy webbing, a metal strip, or other suitable material. This ligature 46 may be used in a variety of ways in securing the top panel to the frame. For example, as shown near the left hand end of Fig. '7, additional ligature means 41, such as a cord or wire, may be passed over the ligature 46 and secured around the frame member 40.. On the other hand, as shown near the right hand end of Fig. '7, the ligature 46 may be cut at appropriate points spaced from the frame member 40, and the loose ends 46a thus formed may be turned down along the sides of the frame member 40, as shown, and secured to the frame member by tacks or nails 48 or the like.

Or again, the continuous ligature means secured to the under side of the building material may be out at points still further from the frame member and the loose ends of the ligature means itself can be wrapped around the frame member and secured as in a manner similar to the ligature 41 near the left hand end of Fig. 7. This construction is shown in Fig. 8, in which the rib is designated at 50, and the top panel has a insulating layers 52 and 53, and a top layer 54. A series of staples 55 securely connect the structural member to ligature means 56 running along the under side of the panel similar to the ligature means 46 in Fig. '7, this ligature means 56 being a cord, wire, or the like. It is cut at points sufficiently far from the frame member 50 so that the ends can be turned down and wrapped around the frame member and tied or twisted together, as plainly shown.

In Fig. 9 of the drawing, the ligature 46 in the form of a web of fabric or strip of metal is shown as being held at intervals by the staples 45, and in the same figure there is also shown the ligature 56 in the form of a cord or wire like- 5 wise held at intervals by the staples 55.

It will be noted that the invention provides blind fastening means which will securely hold the top panel to the frame members without in any way puncturing or damaging the water- 10 proof facing layer on the panel. Means are provided, accessible from the bottom of the panel, for attaching it to the ribs, this means being anchored or secured to the panel preferably at the time the composite panel is initially manufactured.

It is also to be noted that the preferred embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are capable of being manufactured with relatively simple machinery without serious interference with easy and rapid mass production of the building material. The various layers of the building material are preferably built up in a continuous manner, the layers of different materials being taken from rolls of the respective 25 materials and combined with-each other continuously to form the built-up composite matev rial. During this process of building up the layers to form the final material, the blind fastening means is inserted, preferably by maohin- 30 ery, as the partially built-up composite material passes through the machine. Then the remaining layer or layers of the composite material are added, resulting in the finished product ready for shipment to automobile assembling plants 35 and the like, where it may be rapidly and efficiently applied in a single unitary operation.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a num- 4.0

ber of ways. This application is therefore not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 45

I claim:

1. A laminated panel for attachment to a Support, comprising a plurality of layers of different materials permanently secured to each other, one of said layers being a relatively strong 50 structural member of relatively large area and being relatively rigid in all directions of said area, another of said layers being of weather resistant material, and fastening means built into and forming an integral part of said panel at 55 points materially inwardly from the edges thereof, said fastening means including means passing through said structural member but not through said weather resistant layer at points spaced inwardly from all side edges of said struc- 60 tural member and having a portion exposed on one side of said panel and capable of forming a loop to assist in attaching the panel subsequently to a support.

2. A laminated panel for attachment to a sup- 65 ing through said structural member but not through said weather resistant layer at points spaced inwardly from all side edges of said structural member and having a portion exposed on one side of said panel for use in attaching said panel subsequently to a support.

3. A laminated panel for attachment to a support, comprising a plurality of layers of diiferent materials permanently secured to each other, one of said layers being a relatively strong and rigid structural member of relatively large area, another or said layers being 0i weather resistant material, and fastening means built into and forming an integral part of said panel at points materially inwardly from the edges thereof, said fastening means including staples passing through said structural member but not through said weather resistant layer and having loop-iorming heads exposed on one side of said panel to assist in attaching said panel to a support and having ends clinched over between said structural member and said weather resistant material.

4. A lamirated panel for attachment to a support, comprising a plurality of layers of different materials permanently secured to each other, one of said layers being a relatively strong structural member of relatively large area and being relatively rigid in all directions of said area,

another of said layers being of weather resistant material, and fastening means built into and forming an integral part of said panel at relatively close intervals along one zone of said panel, said fastening means including means through said structural member but not through said weather resistant layer and having a portion exposed on one side of said panel to in attaching the panel to a support.

5. A laminated panel for attachment to a support, comprising a plurality of layers of different materials permanently secured to each other, one or" said layers being a relatively strong and rigid structural member of relatively large area, another of said layers being of weather resistant material, and fastening means built into and forming an integral part of said panel at points materially inwardly from the edges thereof, said fastening means including a length of metallic material of substantially uniform cross section throughout passing through said structural member but not through said weather resistant layer at two points relatively close to each oth r and space materially inwardly from all side edges of structural member and having a portion cces ble on one side of said panel to assist in a' aci ng tie panel subsequently to a support.

5. A structur comprising a supporting beam, a laminated panel lying against said beam to be ported thereby, said laminated panel includlg a relatively strong structural layer of relatively large area and being relatively rigid in all directions of said area, said laminated panel also including a, layer of weather resistan material on the opposite of said structural layer from said beam, a staple passing through said structural layer but not through said weather resistant layer said staple having a head forming a loop accessible on the side of said panel toward said beamland having ends clinched over between said structural layer and said weather resistant layer, and ligature means encircling said beam and passing through said loop or said staple to secure said laminated panel to said beam.

7. A structure comprising a supporting beam, a laminated panel lying against said beam to be supported thereby, said laminated panel including a relatively strong structural layer of relatively large area and being relatively rigid in all directions of said area, said laminated panel also including a layer of weather resistant material on the opposite side of said structural layer from said beam, a staple passing through said structural layer but not through said weather resistant layer, said staple having a head forming a loop accessible on the side or" said panel toward said beam and having ends clinched over between.

said structural layer and said weather resistant layer, and fastening means secured to said beam and passing through said loop of said staple to secure said laminated panel to said beam.

8. A structure comprising a supporting beam, a laminated panel lying against beam to be supported thereby, said laminated panel includa relatively strong structural layer of relatively large area and being relatively rigid in all directions of said area, said laminated panel also including a layer of weather resistant material on the opposite side of said structural layer from said beam, fas ening means built into and forming an integral part of said panel, said fastening means including means passing through said structural layer but not through said weather resistant layer at points spaced inwardly from all side edges of said structural layer, said fastening means also including a portion accessible on the side of said panel toward said beam, and means connected to said beam and interengage with said portion accessible on the side of said panel, for securing said panel to said beam.

9. A structure comprising a supporting beam, a laminated panel lying against said beam to be supported thereby, said laminated panel including a relatively strong structural layer of relatively large area and being relatively rigid all directions of said area, said laminated panel also including a layer of weather resistant material on the opposite side of said structural layer from said beam, and fastening means at least partially built into and forming an integral part of said panel, said fastening means including means passing through said structural layer but not through said weather resistant layer and extending for a material distance substan ially parallel to said structural layer between it and said weather resistant layer at a point spaced matcrially inwardly from all side edges of said structural layer, and also including means connected to said beam for securing said panel to said beam.

ROSS NINSHIP. 

